Choosing Candour Communications as a Service Provider

Here at Candour Communications, our job is to provide with access to the newest and the best, at reasonable prices, and without tagging on any unnecessary "extras". For that reason, we want to share with you why we will not just sell you a service you can use, we will sell you OUR personal services. Having your own account manager who you can call on any time can save a lot of headaches and time wasting.

What Candour Communications offers you!

Feel free to click on the below links to see what Plans we offer to your business.

NBN Fibre to the Building

All types of NBN network connections that utilise a physical line running to the premises are considered fixed line connections. An NBN Fibre to the Building (FTTB) connection is generally used when we are connecting an apartment block or similar types of buildings to the NBN network. In this scenario, we run a fibre optic line to the building communications room - we then use the existing technology in the building to connect to each apartment.

The fibre node in the building communications room is likely to take the form of a secure cabinet. Each cabinet will allow the NBN network signal to travel over the optic fibre, to the existing network technology present in the building.

Your choice of speed and provider

To get the best NBN network experience, check your address and contact Candour Communications on 1300 651 350 about the options that are available to your premises.

NBN Fixed Wireless

A fixed wireless connection is typically used in circumstances where the data travels from transmission tower located as much as 14kms from a premise to a rooftop antenna that would be fitted by Candour Communications.

Fixed wireless connections also require an NBN network device to be installed at the point where the cable from the roof antenna enters your business. This device requires power to operate, and can be installed by Candour Communications.

Your Choice of Bandwidth

To get the best NBN network experience, check your address and contact us at Candour Communications 1300 651 350 about the options that are available to your premises.

Get the most from your NBN network connection

Consider the number of users and types of applications within your business. If you have many users and many devices and you do things like stream video on a regular basis, you should discuss higher speed options with us so we can recommend the plan that’s best for you.

How NBN Impacts on Your Business

Before I go into how NBN will impact your business, you need to ask yourself what will happen if we don't switch to NBN?

Business have 18 months to migrate to the NBN once it is available to them, after which traditional copper and cable services in the area severed, cutting off fixed-line phone and internet access.

If you don't move to NBN and you want to use the internet, you'll have to use alternative options like mobile broadband or a mobile phone with a mobile plan.

But seriously, why wouldn't you want to join the NBN? It's faster, more reliable and the way of the future!

Below are 3 reasons why we suggest you get NBN:

Faster internet speeds mean great efficiency

You might have your phone and internet disconnected

You could end up paying more

If you're not sure how to find out whether your office is NBN-ready, contact Candour Communications on 1300 651 350. We will give you a rollout progress update and we can tell you which technology you can expect to be launched in your area, as well as showing you what plans we can offer.

NBN is ready in my area - What do I do?

Congratulations, you're super close to getting superfast internet. From the time NBN is available in your area, you'll have about 18 months to connect to the new network. After this time, the existing copper network will be switched off. Put this on your to do list and connect ASAP. The faster you connect, the sooner you'll be enjoying superfast internet and reliable phone services.

When you're ready to connect, give us a call on 1300 651 350. We provide a FREE assessment for your business.

NBN and your Phone System Capability

Have you had a call from a sales person informing you that your Business Phone System is not compatible with the new NBN network? Or will cease to work once copper services have been cut?

A number of Candour Communication clients have phoned in recently to confirm similar claims, and with a quick check we were able to confirm in all instances that their current business phone systems were in fact NBN compatible.

A common misconception is that only Business IP Phone Systems are upgradeable to the NBN and that ISDN and PSTN phone systems are not. Less reputable phone providers are leveraging this misconception in order to sell unsuspecting business a completely new phone system, even though their existing phone system is NBN network compatible. All you will need is an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor).

The NBN is designed to provide the infrastructure for affordable high-speed Internet and telephone access to Australian businesses.

If somebody tells you that your phone system is “NBN ready”, they simply mean your phone system is VoIP/IP capable, and therefore ready to take advantage of all the new IP/VoIP based services the NBN will bring.

Whether or not you need to have a phone system that is NBN ready is entirely a business decision and has nothing to do with

How to get NBN Phone Lines for Business

The NBN is now available at your site and you're wondering what to do about transitioning your current PSTN or ISDN phone line to NBN phone lines.

Your copper serves won't get cut off until 18 months after your site is declared Ready For NBN Service or RFS. RFS means that a NBN service can be connected to your site. If you wait 18 months and do nothing, your PSTN lines and ADSL will get cut off. But not straight away.

What are the NBN Phone Line options?

Hosted PBX where you have the phone system hosted in the cloud and only have the handsets at your site

SIP trunks where the VoIP lines with an onsite PBX that resides on your site

Advice for customers in NBN areas - ACT EARLY

Don't leave it till the last month when the copper cut off is imminent and risk having your business phone lines out of action. It doesn't mean you need to commit immediately but have a plan in place for transitioning your phone system to NBN.

Updating System Greetings & Voicemail for Christmas/Public Holidays

With Christmas approaching and summer holidays just around the corner, it's time to think and plan your office break messages.

With most businesses closing for at least the Christmas-New Year break, it's important to be prepared to make a positive impression on your customers when they reach your voicemail box. Have one of our technician come to you and have this organised for you.

Using VoIP for your business continuity

Have you considered what will happen if your internet goes down, what will happen to your phone system?

We can assist with the following options:

Automatically divert your calls to a mobile device

Download an app to any of your device so the extensions be answered via your device

Some business have opted out of a VoIP and SIP service because of the fear of redundancy, but they'd now be missing out on a massive amount of benefits for the sake of a problem that can be easily solved. Remember - a few hours or even a day without your phone service could be a catastrophe for your company, so act sooner rather than later in the decision about how your business is going to avoid it.

If you have any questions, just call us on 1300 651 350 so we can serve you better. Or you can visit us at www.candour.com.au for additional information, including to access information about your usage of the service.

How to adjust your phone system for Daylight Savings

Adjusting your phone system can become a hassle depending where you are located across the country. With this short reference guide, you would be able to change the time on your phone system and headset as easy as possible.

Alcatel Phone Systems:

Adjusting the time on an Alcatel must be done on the 4039 model receptionist/admin handset

Scroll left to 'Menu'

Select 'Operator'

Enter 'Operator Password' (default "help1954")

Select 'Clock'

Scroll past the date and retype the correct time

Once the correct details are entered press 'Ok'

Press the silver backspace button (next to F1) to return to main screen

Avaya Phone Systems:

From the Admin/Receptionist handset, select 'Features' from the menu

Select 'Phone User'

Select 'System admin'

Select 'Time' and enter in the new adjusted time

Ericsson-LG Ipecs Phone Systems:

From extension 100, dial Trans/Pgm 0 4 1

Then set required time, followed by the Hold/Save Key

Ipecs EMG 80 Phone Systems:

Settings or changing the Time and Date on the Ipecs/EMG80 Phone system must be done from the Attendant station

Why will Telstra's 2G Network be disconnected?

The 2G mobile network has operated for more than 20 years, and technology has rapidly evolved during that time. Devices have become smarter, and customers are demanding ever-faster speeds. Most customers have already subscribed to 3G and 4G technologies and these significant changes in technology have contributed to the decision for Telstra to discontinue their 2G mobile network.

What will this mean for 2G subscribers or users of a 2G phone?

You will lose 2G service and coverage as of 1 December 2016 and if using a 2G phone, then that phone will no longer operate as it uses 2G technology, even if it currently works with a 3G SIM.

If the device is currently capable of making Emergency calls to 000 or 112, after the changes decommissioning of the 2G mobile network it will be unable to do so unless it is within the network coverage area of another carrier.

Free SIM cards for 2G to Prima

Free SIM cards are available for migrating subscribers. Note that the free SIMS are only available for migrations from 2G onto Prima Mobile. There is no limit to the amount of free SIMs per Service Provider.

We're here to help and support you so please feel free to contact us on 1300 651 350 or http://www.candour.com.au if you have any questions.

How Hosted Phone Systems can benefit your Business?

Hosted Phone Systems offer all the advance features you would expect from a traditional PBX but with some exciting differences. Manage your personal calling profile via our Web Assistant plug in; which can automatically field calls to mobile or voicemail. Remote Office allows you to use your mobile just as you would use your desk phone, dialling other extensions, transferring calls internally and holding 3-way conference calls.

The below diagram shows the ideal way to create a dedicated network for IP Voice within your office. Of course, every office has different networking requirements, involving both your computers and IP handsets, but we can help advice on the best network to accomodate both your voice and data requirements.

How Candour Communications can reduce the cost of your Phone Bills with SIP Trunks?

With FREE calls between offices and flat rate local and national calls, staff can talk for as long as they like without worrying about how much their bills will cost.

It covers things like the length of your contract and how much you need to pay each month.

SIP Trunks are a digital phone line replacement for PSTN and ISDN Business Phone lines. Connecting them to your Phone Systems is a straightforward exercise carried out by your Phone System maintainer. We provide the information required to configure the SIP Trunks on your PBX Phone System and the work can be done in under an hr.

Why should you consider SIP Trunks for your Business?

Suitable for businesses with an IP PBX

Cheaper calls, connection fees and line costs

FREE calls between offices

Excellent call quality over a Private Network, NOT the Public Internet

Modern alternative to ISDN Channels

Available in 2 line multiples (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc)

Direct Indial Number Range in batches of 10

Get as many SIP Trunks (lines) as your broadband connection can handle

No long term contracts

If you have any questions, just call us on 1300 651 350 so we can serve you better. Or you can visit us at www.candour.com.au for additional information, including to access information about your usage

4G Network Has Arrived

Candour Communications is pleased to inform you that our 4G mobile service has arrived. Enjoy a better mobile experience with bigger data at a smaller price.

NO LOCK-IN CONTRACTS – UNLIMITED CALLING OPTIONS

What a fantastic way to get more done in less time while enjoying more included data and calls at the same price.

Our service includes: One simple payment per month on a single bill, a dedicated account manager, a communications partner to make sure you are happy, and a business communication specialist as we understand what’s important to keep costs down and efficiency up.

If you wish to know more about our mobile plans or how we can assist your business with our range of communications solutions, please contact us on 1300 651 350.

Here’s what Smart On Hold has to say regarding the Science behind Music, you may view original post.

Do certain musical qualities put customers into buying-mode?

Fast music has been linked to car crashes. The ‘Mozart effect’ has been linked to increased brain power. Binaural beats have been proven to enhance meditative states of mind. There is little question that music can affect the ways in which people think and beha

Do I need a new business phone system for NBN?

A while ago we published that many, if not most, business phones systems do not need to be replaced because the National Broadband Network (NBN) is coming to their area. We wrote this in response to many of our clients who had received calls from unscrupulous sales people saying that their Business Phone System is not compatible with the new network. Or even that it will cease to work once copper services have been cut.

It appears that the message is not getting out. It has come to our attention that many businesses are taking the advice of big name service providers to upgrade or replace their phone systems and therefore paying for new systems they just do not need. Some of these service providers are spending $millions on advertising at the moment to take full advantage of this situation.

A quick check with a reputable provider like Candour Communications and business owners will soon find if their current business phone systems were in fact NBN compatible.

The misconception, taken advantage of these less-reputable service providers, is that only Business IP Phone Systems are upgradable to the NBN, and that ISDN and PSTN phone systems are not. All you will need is an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor), and your system will be NBN-ready.

An ATA will set you back a couple of hundred bucks, not the thousands that you would be forking out for a new system.

I read recently that 59% of all people in Australia that buy mobile phones now buy them outright, and this got me thinking. In the past, it was the usual thing to get a phone on a plan, and upgrade 2 years later when the plan ran out. But times have changed.

In asking around my friends and colleagues in the telecommunications industry, there are numerous reasons why people buy the hardware outright.

Cheaper – with so many deals for both phones and calls now, you can mix and match to suit yourself.

Lock-in contracts – 24 months doesn’t sound a long time, but if something goes wrong and you end up paying for something you aren’t getting, then it hurts like hell.

Damaging phones – some people, or more specifically people in some industries like builders and tradies, are notorious for damaging their phones. It’s better to buy one and replace it when required than keep paying a plan. Ever dropped your phone in water?

And maybe the biggest issue of all is your communication – phones, email and internet. What happens when you move location and something goes wrong? In today’s world being off-line and out of
touch is just not an option.

The result is likely to be frustration on top of wasted time, as well as
a compromise to business communication.

It is absolutely imperative that you are up and running with as little downtime as possible, with both your phone lines and internet. To do this properly you just can’t hurry it. There is a minimum delay with the telcos of up to 6 weeks (could be more at Christmas time!) when transferring phone lines and phone numbers. The sooner your communications provider is aware of your move the better the position you will be in. You don’t want customers experiencing any sort of disconnect or delay from communicating with your business.

An office relocation is often a perfect opportunity to take a look at current phone system and see if they can be streamlined, improved, or updated. Your communications expert can talk you through what you need to know and help through the minefield.

The satellite is designed to provide broadband access to over 200,000 rural or remote Australians at a speed of 25 megabits per second, according to new communications minister Mitch Fifield.

The satellite successfully detached from the rocket about half an hour later and is now preparing to deploy solar panels. If all goes well with a series of tests, it will be connected to the NBN in the second half of next year.

A second satellite will also be launched early next year, while ten ground stations will be needed for support.

NBN chairman Ziggy Switkowski described the launch as “loud, explosive and muscular”.

“It is a historic day,” Switkowski told the AFR.

Sky Muster is a very controversial aspect of the much-maligned NBN project. It was originally a Labor policy, with now-PM Malcolm Turnbull describing it as a pricy “Rolls Royce” option while in opposition.

At last, a clear explanation about VoIP (Voice over IP)

This is a 'Must Read' explanation about VoIP and VoIP phone systems. Why? Because we at Candour Communications are not out there trying to sell you on a VoIP phone system just because that is the only product we sell. Yes, we do sell VoIP, but only when it is clear that it will work well and it will provide benefits to you and your business.

There are too many myths about VoIP, where it is going and what it can do for your business. We at Candour Communications are passionate about you getting you the right solution...we will probably upset some other suppliers of VoIP systems but you should have all the answers before you invest in a telephone solution.

So, what is VoIP?

Traditionally, your landline voice calls get are delivered via a pair of wires from the caller’s premises to the local telephone exchange, across the telephone network to the called person's local telephone exchange and then along a pair of wires to their premises.

Voice over IP works by digitising your speech and then sending it across a data network such as the internet or a private data network.

IP stands for Internet Protocol and this is the method used for sending data such as emails and other files across the Internet.
IP works by dissecting a file (i.e. word document or email) into small blocks of data, then adding the recipient's internet address information to these blocks of data so they are ready to be sent out onto a network. The network devices that form the internet (or private data network) determine where to send these data packets based on the internet address.

Business Telephone Lines

Most people think that a telephone line is a telephone line, but there are different types of telephone lines and the correct choice can help the operation of the business greatly. As a business grows and requires more telephone lines and handsets, it is important to review the type of lines used so that the

Here we look at:

An explanation of different telephone line types.

How to order new phone lines

How to save money by choosing the correct telephone rate plan for your business.

Business Telephone Line Types:

PSTN or Public switched Telephone Network is the type of telephone line that you find in most houses. It is very old technology but works well for what it was designed for. For each PSTN line there is a pair of copper wires between your premises and the telephone exchange. A problem that can occur when you expand the number of PSTN lines for your business is that there may not be enough pairs of wires connecting your premises to the telephone network, and there will be an additional cost to increase this if required.

ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network is a digital form of telephone line. The speech is digitised similar to music digitised on a CD, which has the ability to provide better voice quality than PSTN but it is not really that noticeable in a phone conversation. You will not get the crackles and hum that you may get on a degrading PSTN line.

ISDN also provides the ability for an outside caller to dial direct to an extension on phone system or PABX. You can have a number for customers to call that will be answered by t